R. Patrick Bedell

Partner

R. Patrick Bedell is a partner whose practice focuses on advising insurance carriers on a variety of complex matters and representing them in commercial disputes in state and federal courts across the country. He has extensive experience analyzing and litigating claims involving products liability, municipal liability, general commercial liability, and professional liability.

In 2015 and 2017, Patrick was recognized by Law Bulletin Company, through its Leading Lawyers Division, as an “Emerging Lawyer” in Insurance, Insurance Coverage, and Reinsurance Law, a distinction earned by fewer than two percent of Illinois lawyers who are under the age of 40. Patrick was also selected to the Illinois Rising Star list, a peer review designation recognizing no more than 2.5 percent of Illinois lawyers under the age of 40, from 2012-2018.

Representative Matters

Gage County v. Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association,Case No. CI 17-0339 (Lancaster County, NE) In a matter of first impression, obtained ruling for excess insurers that the date six wrongfully incarcerated individuals were first charged was the single date triggering their constitutional injuries, and that continuing constitutional wrongs into later insurance periods did not trigger new insurance for the $28.1 million malicious prosecution judgment.

Successfully represented insurer in appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals, which reversed the trial court’s rulings that the insurer had a duty to defend and must pay defense expenses in addition to policy limits.

Achieved summary judgment ruling that insurer had no duty to defend or indemnify an $8 million wrongful prosecution claim brought by an exonerated claimant who was convicted during insurer’s policy period.

Represented ceding insurer in breach of contract suit against a reinsurance broker.

Presentations

Insurance Workshop: Practical & Ethical Handling of Insurance Issues (IICLE, January 25, 2018). Moderated the day-long conference addressing the life of an insurance claim, emerging issues presented by opioids, concussions, 3D printing, drones and cyber security, as well as time-honored issues such as the duty to settle, independent counsel and preserving coverage defenses. Presented on the life of an insurance claim and issues relating to opioid and concussion claims.

America On Opioids: The Issues, The Claims, and The Coverage (Perrin Conferences, October 17, 2017)